Looks like it’s curtains for the Vision Pro. Apple’s slashing production in half, and it may be the end of the line. Plus, a Nigerian man got ten years for a phishing scam, ChatGPT stepped in to save a Redditor’s life, and there’s now a “digital condom” (no, you don’t have to wrap your phone in latex).
Antivirus comparison: Which option is best for your PC or Mac?
If you browse the internet regularly, you can’t get around the fact that you need antivirus software. Viruses can pop up in unexpected places, and you want your device to be able to fight one off if it appears.
Dangerous malware making the rounds is what makes having antivirus software protecting you so critical. But what’s the best antivirus software for a Mac or Windows computer? Keep reading to see the best options.
TotalAV
TotalAV works with Windows PCs, Macs, Android phones and iPhones. TotalAV is Kim’s pick and a sponsor of her national radio show. As far as features go, it stacks up compared to the other names on the market you already know. And you can get a killer discount using Kim’s special offer.
Here are the pros and cons.
The good
- Blocks phishing URLs through its SafeSite extension, which stays up-to-date on the latest malicious phishing URLs.
- Spots, quarantines and eliminates ransomware, viruses, adware, spyware, trojans and more.
- Provides remote firewall access to stop unauthorized access to private data.
- Schedule scans so you don’t have to mark a date on your calendar for your next scan.
- Lets you choose the type of scan you want to run (it’s hassle-free).
- Cleans your disk, app cache and duplicate photos to save disk space.
- Enhances your computer’s performance.
The bad
- No boot-time scanning.
- No email security features.
Get the best security suite and save 85% at TotalAV.com/Kim. That’s just $19 for a year of protection on up to five devices.
Bitdefender Antivirus
Bitdefender Antivirus can be used on Mac and Windows computers, and mobile versions for your smartphone also exist. A $39.99 subscription can cover five devices.
Small-biz tip: Don't overlook this digital danger
Are you the type of business owner who forgets about ex-employees as soon as they’re gone? Failing to remove former employees’ access to your systems and data could lead to security breaches. Don’t let poor offboarding practices be the weak link in your cybersecurity chain.
Today, 91% of phishing scams originate from this one source. Is it … A.) Phishing emails, B.) Compromised websites, C.) Unsecured Wi-Fi or D.) That person in your life who clicks on anything?
42% of web traffic
Is generated by bots. And 65% of those are for shady stuff like spying on competition, hoarding inventory and making lookalike phishing sites. There are no laws to protect businesses or consumers against the bot army.
Using free antivirus? Here's what it could cost you
The internet is dangerous and laden with hidden threats. Luckily, antivirus (AV) software can spot lurking dangers that want to take over your computer. Tap or click here to find out why you need antivirus software.
You may consider a free version if you’re looking for an antivirus tool. A few solutions won’t cost you a dime, which can be appealing. But, as with all things, you get what you pay for.
🎣 Reeled in a big one: A 33-year-old Nigerian man was sentenced to 10 years for a phishing scam that stole $20 million in nest eggs from over 400 U.S. homebuyers. He sent phishing emails to real estate professionals, tricking them into providing their login credentials. Using those, he redirected home purchase payments to compromised accounts and laundered the money into bitcoin via Coinbase, according to the DOJ.
🔐 Change your password: Over 2 million VPN passwords were stolen using malware last year. ExpressVPN, Proton VPN and NordVPN were the biggest targets. The companies weren’t breached; hackers went after users through phishing attacks, keyloggers and credential stuffing. Change your password ASAP if you have a VPN. And remember, “beefstew” as a password isn’t stroganoff.
🚨 Bogus captcha tests: Instead of picking images or typing words, these shady tests ask you to press Windows key + R and Ctrl + V. Doing so then pastes in a Windows PowerShell script that unleashes Lumma Stealer malware. Stay alert: These fake captchas are popping up on random websites and in phishing emails.
In 2008, the U.S. Department of Defense experienced the worst breach of military computers, ever. Was the source a … A.) Phishing email, B.) USB flash drive, C.) Confused employee or D.) Stolen laptop?
🚨 Driving away with your data: Car rental company Avis says 299,006 people had their personal info stolen in an August data breach. We’re talking names, addresses, credit card numbers and driver’s license numbers. No word yet on how hackers got in. FYI, Texas was hit hardest, with 34,592 folks there exposed. Stay alert for phishing scams!
🚨 Banking app scam alert: A new phishing attack is tricking people into installing an “updated” (read: bogus) banking app. Scammers contact you via email, SMS or voice call. Download their app, log in, and now they have your password. Stay safe: Only update apps via the App Store or Google Play. If you need your bank’s app, go to their website for a direct link.
🚨 CrowdStrike’s global outage isn’t over: Scammers are out in full force using fake CrowdStrike websites to push phishing emails and phone calls posing as tech support to steal your info. Don’t give info over the phone, and check unfamiliar email senders’ domains very carefully. The official CrowdStrike website and domain is crowdstrike.com.
🚨 Hide and C:/Seek: Hackers grabbed the personal info of more than 400,000 Life360 users, including names, phone numbers, emails and more. Life360’s location-sharing app is used primarily to help parents keep an eye on their kids. More bad news: Life360 owns tracker company Tile, which hackers also breached, nabbing not only personal info, but also device IDs. Don’t wait to change your passwords, and be on alert for phishing, phone and texting scams.
🚨 Have an iPhone or Mac? Apple is warning about a big uptick in phishing scams. Crooks are using sly tactics to get your personal details, most commonly with phony texts, pop-up ads and convincing calls. Protect yourself: Make sure URLs match the company site (apple.com), never give out your password, and enable two-factor authentification (2FA).
183% increase
In phony Ozempic scams over the past four months. Look out for social media posts offering weight loss drugs at a steep discount or without a prescription. These aren’t real doctors (paywall link); they’re a phishing scam.
🚨 Do it right now: The National Security Agency (NSA) has a hot security tip: Power off and restart your phone weekly. Sounds like a “duh,” but it works to combat zero-click exploits and spear phishing. More tips (that I’ve been giving you for years): Keep your OS updated, and disable Bluetooth and location services when you don’t need ‘em.
Strikeout: A gullible 70-year-old woman was fooled by an online scammer posing as Phillies shortstop Trea Turner. After weeks of messaging with “Trea,” the scammer got the woman to send him $50,000 under the guise of “marriage problems.” The lesson: Don’t just watch out for phishing emails and DMs; you’re also a target when you comment on social media posts.